DM&IR Hill City Sub: The Depot
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Agreed. I used to find it intimidating, but once I took the plunge, I found that I love doing it. It's all about learning techniques.
Thanks Mike!
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tracymckibben
Member
Depot Do-Over
Remember the Atari 2600 video game console, and that nifty reset switch? If a game didn't go the way you wanted it to, you simply hit that reset switch and started over. If only somebody would invent a reset switch for model building. I could sure use it right now.
Two weeks ago, during the TCD layout tour, I noticed that the walls on my depot had bowed considerably. We had all of the doors and windows in the house open, and it was a bit humid that day, so I blamed that for the warpage. I figure a few days with the A/C running, things would dry out and return to normal. No such luck. This is what the depot looks like right now:
She has curves in all the wrong places. I'm not sure what, if anything, can be done to fix this, so I'm starting over. Dave Jasper, one of the visitors to the layout, asked a very pointed question. "Why are you building it this way, if the studs won't be visible anyway?" Good question, and the only answer I had was "Just because". I don't have a good reason, other than it seemed like a good idea at the time. I sit here now, though, looking at several hours of effort wasted.
I've followed the work of Troels Kirk for a long time, and I find it fascinating what he can do with black matte board and paper. I decided to give that a try. I started by cutting my four main walls out of a piece of matte board.
Conveniently, the back side of the board is white. On the back of each piece, I draw a grid identical to the stud design of the first model. This made it easy to plot out the window and door openings.
Remember the Atari 2600 video game console, and that nifty reset switch? If a game didn't go the way you wanted it to, you simply hit that reset switch and started over. If only somebody would invent a reset switch for model building. I could sure use it right now.
Two weeks ago, during the TCD layout tour, I noticed that the walls on my depot had bowed considerably. We had all of the doors and windows in the house open, and it was a bit humid that day, so I blamed that for the warpage. I figure a few days with the A/C running, things would dry out and return to normal. No such luck. This is what the depot looks like right now:
She has curves in all the wrong places. I'm not sure what, if anything, can be done to fix this, so I'm starting over. Dave Jasper, one of the visitors to the layout, asked a very pointed question. "Why are you building it this way, if the studs won't be visible anyway?" Good question, and the only answer I had was "Just because". I don't have a good reason, other than it seemed like a good idea at the time. I sit here now, though, looking at several hours of effort wasted.
I've followed the work of Troels Kirk for a long time, and I find it fascinating what he can do with black matte board and paper. I decided to give that a try. I started by cutting my four main walls out of a piece of matte board.
Conveniently, the back side of the board is white. On the back of each piece, I draw a grid identical to the stud design of the first model. This made it easy to plot out the window and door openings.
tracymckibben
Member
Depot Do-Over, part 2
It turns out that the matte board that I'm using is almost exactly 4 scale inches thick, or about the same thickness as the scale 2"x4" studs that I used in the first model. The new walls won't be any different than the old ones in terms of thickness.
Using a brand new knife blade (the safest blade is a sharp blade), and the handy grids that I drew on the wall segments, I cut out all of the window and door openings.
A little bit of trusty Elmer's Glue, and the first two wall segments are joined together.
The best part? It took less than 2 hours to get this far. The first model, with the framed walls, took about a week of evenings to reach the point shown in that first photo. I might have just found a new favorite construction technique!
It turns out that the matte board that I'm using is almost exactly 4 scale inches thick, or about the same thickness as the scale 2"x4" studs that I used in the first model. The new walls won't be any different than the old ones in terms of thickness.
Using a brand new knife blade (the safest blade is a sharp blade), and the handy grids that I drew on the wall segments, I cut out all of the window and door openings.
A little bit of trusty Elmer's Glue, and the first two wall segments are joined together.
The best part? It took less than 2 hours to get this far. The first model, with the framed walls, took about a week of evenings to reach the point shown in that first photo. I might have just found a new favorite construction technique!
tracymckibben
Member
Depot 2.0 Takes Shape
If you read yesterday's post, you know that I started over on the depot. You also know that I'm trying a new construction technique, using matte board instead of scale lumber to frame the walls. I have to say, I'm impressed so far. In 24 hours, I've accomplished more with the matte board than I did in more than a week using the scale lumber.
A look at how this might look when placed on the layout...
If you read yesterday's post, you know that I started over on the depot. You also know that I'm trying a new construction technique, using matte board instead of scale lumber to frame the walls. I have to say, I'm impressed so far. In 24 hours, I've accomplished more with the matte board than I did in more than a week using the scale lumber.
A look at how this might look when placed on the layout...
tracymckibben
Member
Mixed Results Inside and Out
Continuing with the paper construction technique, I started installing the clapboard siding on the exterior of the depot. Just as I did with the handcar shed, I'm using scale 6" strips of a heavy paper for the siding boards. However, it's not turning out quite the same. For the handcar shed, I wanted the siding to look worn and "droopy", as if the shed had seen several years of hard use and neglect. That's not the look that I want for the depot, but that's what I'm ending up with. The paper tends to curl when cut, making it difficult to get nice, tidy straight boards.
I don't think I'm going to proceed with the paper strips for this structure. I just place a bulk order for some scale 1" lumber in various widths - I'll try using that instead. The siding will have to wait until that order arrives.
On a positive note - I installed part of the interior of the freight section of the depot. Looks great! You can see a portion of it through the open door in the photo above. Here's another look from the other end.
It too is paper, printed on my own printer, using a texture pattern found at http://www.cgtextures.com/. I think this will be quite convincing when viewed through an open door, with some dim interior lighting.
Continuing with the paper construction technique, I started installing the clapboard siding on the exterior of the depot. Just as I did with the handcar shed, I'm using scale 6" strips of a heavy paper for the siding boards. However, it's not turning out quite the same. For the handcar shed, I wanted the siding to look worn and "droopy", as if the shed had seen several years of hard use and neglect. That's not the look that I want for the depot, but that's what I'm ending up with. The paper tends to curl when cut, making it difficult to get nice, tidy straight boards.
I don't think I'm going to proceed with the paper strips for this structure. I just place a bulk order for some scale 1" lumber in various widths - I'll try using that instead. The siding will have to wait until that order arrives.
On a positive note - I installed part of the interior of the freight section of the depot. Looks great! You can see a portion of it through the open door in the photo above. Here's another look from the other end.
It too is paper, printed on my own printer, using a texture pattern found at http://www.cgtextures.com/. I think this will be quite convincing when viewed through an open door, with some dim interior lighting.
Paper siding
I haven't done it myself, but I read about a well recognized paper modeler that card material has grain like wood and cutting it one way curls and the other cuts straight. I use manila file folders for more stiffness than paper for shingles and siding.
Some paper modeling of an eight sided water tank roof on my blog
http://armchairmodeling.blogspot.com
Armchair
I haven't done it myself, but I read about a well recognized paper modeler that card material has grain like wood and cutting it one way curls and the other cuts straight. I use manila file folders for more stiffness than paper for shingles and siding.
Some paper modeling of an eight sided water tank roof on my blog
http://armchairmodeling.blogspot.com
Armchair
tracymckibben
Member
And In This Corner...
...we have planks. Lots and lots of planks. Scale 1"x6" planks to be exact.
If there's any doubt that these are each individual boards, notice the color variations. Trust me, they're all individual boards. Every... Single... One...
You can start to get an idea of what it will look like when finished. Here's are both pieces sitting together on the depot platform.
Whew, that's enough work for one day, time for a break. Anyone for checkers?
...we have planks. Lots and lots of planks. Scale 1"x6" planks to be exact.
If there's any doubt that these are each individual boards, notice the color variations. Trust me, they're all individual boards. Every... Single... One...
You can start to get an idea of what it will look like when finished. Here's are both pieces sitting together on the depot platform.
Whew, that's enough work for one day, time for a break. Anyone for checkers?
tracymckibben
Member
Installing Windows
No, not the PC operating system that we all love to hate, although that title should attract a whole new demographic to the blog. Yes, I've installed that "version" of Windows many times, but that's not what this post is about. This post is about windows that you look through, the type with glass in them.
There will be 13 windows in the depot, plus the bay window. As with everything else, I'm trying to scratchbuild them instead of buying commercial windows. Yes, I know I could buy something from Grandt Line and be done already, but that's not the point. The point is to challenge myself and improve my modeling skills. Popping a plastic window into a hole in the wall doesn't really do that.
So, in the interest of challenging myself, I'm doing this the hard way. I'm using scale 1"x2" strip wood to build the upper and lower window sections. Window glass will be added after these are painted.
These upper and lower sections will fit into individual window frames, built from scale 1"x6" strip wood.
The frames will, in theory, fit into the window openings cut into the depot walls.
Obviously, there will be some trimming and sanding needed, and possibly some foul language, to get them to fit just right. I think the results will be well worth it.
No, not the PC operating system that we all love to hate, although that title should attract a whole new demographic to the blog. Yes, I've installed that "version" of Windows many times, but that's not what this post is about. This post is about windows that you look through, the type with glass in them.
There will be 13 windows in the depot, plus the bay window. As with everything else, I'm trying to scratchbuild them instead of buying commercial windows. Yes, I know I could buy something from Grandt Line and be done already, but that's not the point. The point is to challenge myself and improve my modeling skills. Popping a plastic window into a hole in the wall doesn't really do that.
So, in the interest of challenging myself, I'm doing this the hard way. I'm using scale 1"x2" strip wood to build the upper and lower window sections. Window glass will be added after these are painted.
These upper and lower sections will fit into individual window frames, built from scale 1"x6" strip wood.
The frames will, in theory, fit into the window openings cut into the depot walls.
Obviously, there will be some trimming and sanding needed, and possibly some foul language, to get them to fit just right. I think the results will be well worth it.
tracymckibben
Member
Plastic Glass
Another afternoon of guilt-free modeling, thanks to it being 90 million degrees outside - too hot to do anything. I spent the time building a couple of "practice" windows, before finally settling on a technique that I like. The technique is simple - build the upper sash first (the one in the front), then glue top and both sides of the surrounding window frame to the sash. Build the lower sash, glue it in place behind the upper sash, the glue the bottom piece of the window frame in place. For variety, you can build some of the windows with the lower sash partially raised, to create an open window.
Here's the pick of the litter from today's efforts:
The window "glass" is clear plastic, cut from an Atlas turnout package. I've mentioned this in an earlier blog post, but I'll repeat it here for context.
Here's how it looks installed in the depot, with the siding partially completed around it.
One window done, 12 more to go!
Another afternoon of guilt-free modeling, thanks to it being 90 million degrees outside - too hot to do anything. I spent the time building a couple of "practice" windows, before finally settling on a technique that I like. The technique is simple - build the upper sash first (the one in the front), then glue top and both sides of the surrounding window frame to the sash. Build the lower sash, glue it in place behind the upper sash, the glue the bottom piece of the window frame in place. For variety, you can build some of the windows with the lower sash partially raised, to create an open window.
Here's the pick of the litter from today's efforts:
The window "glass" is clear plastic, cut from an Atlas turnout package. I've mentioned this in an earlier blog post, but I'll repeat it here for context.
Here's how it looks installed in the depot, with the siding partially completed around it.
One window done, 12 more to go!
tracymckibben
Member
How Long Does It Take...
... to build 4 HO scale double-hung windows from scratch? About two weeks, judging from the time since my last post. Ok, that's an exaggeration - I've also finished the siding on the front of the depot.
It's actually not that bad building these things, now that I have a system (more on that later) figured out. The hardest part is not rushing things, trying to move too fast without letting the glue dry thoroughly.
As you can see, with careful measuring and a little filing, they fit nice and flush with the siding.
They even have "glass" installed!
Now, somebody pass the Windex...
... to build 4 HO scale double-hung windows from scratch? About two weeks, judging from the time since my last post. Ok, that's an exaggeration - I've also finished the siding on the front of the depot.
It's actually not that bad building these things, now that I have a system (more on that later) figured out. The hardest part is not rushing things, trying to move too fast without letting the glue dry thoroughly.
As you can see, with careful measuring and a little filing, they fit nice and flush with the siding.
They even have "glass" installed!
Now, somebody pass the Windex...
tracymckibben
Member
Bay Watch
It's been a while, so I thought I'd post a quick update on the depot construction. You may have already seen this on my blog - if so, apologies for the duplicate content.
The siding is finished on three sides of the structure, and 9 of the 13 windows are installed. I haven't started on the doors yet.
I've been struggling with the bay window. I started out trying to build the entire thing as a single assembly. After a few failed efforts, I decided to try something different. I built three individual double-hung windows, then glued those together side-by-side to form half of a hexagon.
The siding underneath the bay window looks a little rough in the photo, but I think getting the vertical trim installed will clean it up nicely. The next challenge will be the roof over the bay window, and then I want to figure out how to build movable freight doors.
It's been a while, so I thought I'd post a quick update on the depot construction. You may have already seen this on my blog - if so, apologies for the duplicate content.
The siding is finished on three sides of the structure, and 9 of the 13 windows are installed. I haven't started on the doors yet.
I've been struggling with the bay window. I started out trying to build the entire thing as a single assembly. After a few failed efforts, I decided to try something different. I built three individual double-hung windows, then glued those together side-by-side to form half of a hexagon.
The siding underneath the bay window looks a little rough in the photo, but I think getting the vertical trim installed will clean it up nicely. The next challenge will be the roof over the bay window, and then I want to figure out how to build movable freight doors.
tracymckibben
Member
Agreed. I used to find it intimidating, but once I took the plunge, I found that I love doing it. It's all about learning techniques.
tracymckibben
Member
Siding Done!
It's been 44 days since my last post here. Included in those 44 days were six weekends, two weeks without the wife around, plus 5 vacation days. You would think I'd have made some progress on the depot during that time. Sadly, you'd be wrong. I haven't really touched it much until this week. I am a pathetic excuse for a model railroader.
Aside from that, I've made some progress over the last couple of days. The biggest achievement is finishing the clapboard siding. It's DONE! I've also finished building and installing all of the windows, including the bay window, and I've measured and cut the panels for the roof. Obviously, I won't be permanently attaching that until I've decided what I'm going to do with the interior.
It's been 44 days since my last post here. Included in those 44 days were six weekends, two weeks without the wife around, plus 5 vacation days. You would think I'd have made some progress on the depot during that time. Sadly, you'd be wrong. I haven't really touched it much until this week. I am a pathetic excuse for a model railroader.
Aside from that, I've made some progress over the last couple of days. The biggest achievement is finishing the clapboard siding. It's DONE! I've also finished building and installing all of the windows, including the bay window, and I've measured and cut the panels for the roof. Obviously, I won't be permanently attaching that until I've decided what I'm going to do with the interior.
tracymckibben
Member
Your work is truly inspirational ! Can't wait to see more of it.
Mike
Thanks Mike!
tracymckibben
Member
It's What's Inside That Counts
Wrapping up another four-day weekend, minus the work-related interruptions on three of those days. I had high hopes of getting a lot done on the depot, but didn't get quite as far as I'd hoped. I did, however, manage to get the interior roughed in, and some lighting wired in place.
Using wallpaper patterns that I downloaded from http://www.cgtextures.com/, I finished the interior walls on the second floor, and most of the downstairs lobby. There is still a lot of interior detail to add, and a few "leaks" to plug, but this is a good start.
The lights that I'm using are wide-angle white 5mm LED's, running on a 9V battery just to allow me to take these photos. I may swap them out, as I'm not entirely happy with the blue light that they produce. I really wanted something "warmer", more yellow. That'll come later - for now, progress is progress!
Wrapping up another four-day weekend, minus the work-related interruptions on three of those days. I had high hopes of getting a lot done on the depot, but didn't get quite as far as I'd hoped. I did, however, manage to get the interior roughed in, and some lighting wired in place.
Using wallpaper patterns that I downloaded from http://www.cgtextures.com/, I finished the interior walls on the second floor, and most of the downstairs lobby. There is still a lot of interior detail to add, and a few "leaks" to plug, but this is a good start.
The lights that I'm using are wide-angle white 5mm LED's, running on a 9V battery just to allow me to take these photos. I may swap them out, as I'm not entirely happy with the blue light that they produce. I really wanted something "warmer", more yellow. That'll come later - for now, progress is progress!
tracymckibben
Member
Movable Freight Doors
Apologies for just posting a link this time, but I'm in a rush and really wanted to share what I finished up today. I figured out how to build working freight doors!
http://dmirhillcitysub.blogspot.com/2012/11/an-open-and-shut-door.html
Apologies for just posting a link this time, but I'm in a rush and really wanted to share what I finished up today. I figured out how to build working freight doors!
http://dmirhillcitysub.blogspot.com/2012/11/an-open-and-shut-door.html
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